Help Josh - Second Lung Transplant Recovery

Dear Supporters, Family and Friends:

Josh Burton has a rare, life-threatening condition called pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD). This was diagnosed after he became critically ill abruptly in June 2020. During this harrowing time, Josh and his mother Kelly bravely fought every day, mostly alone in the hospital due to covid restrictions. As a single mother, Kelly adopted Josh from Guatemala when he was 17 months old. At a time when they needed as much support as possible, they only had each other. Josh received his first double lung transplant when he was 14 years old.

In Fall 2022, it was determined that 16-year-old Josh’s second lungs were running out of time. These were the same lungs that gave him the gift of life in 2020 when he was diagnosed. After being turned away from twenty transplant centers, Josh was accepted for a second transplant at Northwestern Lung Transplant Center. This spring while at Northwestern, Josh had 14 different potential lung offers; each time being prepped and ready for the operating room only to learn that they weren't quite the right match. After the long and anguished wait for the right pair of lungs, a final match was found.

Josh underwent a second double lung transplant on June 28, 2023. He has been stationed at Northwestern Medical and rehab since April 2023. He has not yet returned home to Madison, only three hours away. He long awaits being reunited with his beloved dogs, Fergus and Frannie. While his recovery has been encouraging, Josh and Kelly need a lot of support. They have a long road to physical, emotional, and financial recovery.

Through the last three years:

Funds were raised for his first transplant and used to support Josh’s daily medical needs and Kelly’s ability to support him. With Josh’s declining condition and subsequent need for a second lung transplant, those funds have evaporated.

What do Josh and Kelly need to survive and thrive?

$75,000 to support Kelly and Josh's needs including increased expenses for out of state medical care, educational costs, and well-being. Ongoing love in the form of cards, notes, messages and video chats are also welcomed.

Please consider contributing and be in touch if you can help us in any ways as we work together towards our goal for Josh and Kelly.

Thank you for your support.